Location: On the International Selkirk Loop, at the junctions of Highways 3 and 3A; 28 km south of Kootenay Lake and 11 km north of the Canadian/U.S. border. Population: 5,246; Area Population: 15,000. Visitor Information: Creston and District Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Centre is located on the west side of Highway 3 between the grain elevators and downtown; Phone: (250) 428-4342; Toll Free: (866) 528-4342; Website: www.crestonvalleybc.com

The ever-changing vistas of mountains and valleys, which vary in color with the seasons and crops, provide the backdrop for the friendly agricultural and artistic community of Creston. The town is a hub for year-round activities ranging from cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, to hiking, biking, golfing, bird watching, guided horseback tours, camping, hunting and fishing in season, swimming, boating or just driving and enjoying the view.

There are self-guided art tours around the Creston area, which boasts many unique shops, galleries and activities of interest for the whole family. The Creston Museum explores local history through exhibits, events and guided tours.

Play a challenging round of golf at one of the area's courses, then sample some excellent Creston Valley wine at the Skimmerhorn Winery and Vineyard, or tour the Columbia Brewery where Kokanee Beer is brewed.

Ten km (6 miles) northwest of Creston on Highway 3, the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area protects 7000 hectares (27 square miles) of lush, fertile wetlands on the Kootenay River delta which have been designated a Ramsar site – a wetland of international importance. These wetlands are home to over 300 species of birds and ducks such as osprey, blue heron and tundra swans, and are considered second only to the Pacific Coast flyway route for numbers of migrating species that follow it twice a year. Other animals include nearly 60 mammal species and a dozen reptile and amphibians such as the rare Coeur d’Alene salamander and northern leopard frog. Visitors can enjoy instructive nature walks along boardwalk trails over the marshland, guided treks and canoe tours, a three-story observation tower with telescopes and the Interpretation Centre.